Results of decompression surgery for pain in chronic pancreatitis.

INTRODUCTION: A vast majority of patients with chronic pancreatitis require regular opiate/opioid analgesia and recurrent hospital admission for pain. However, the role and timing of operative strategies for pain in chronic pancreatitis is controversial. This study hypothesized that pancreatic decompression surgery reduces analgesia requirement and hospital readmission for pain in selected patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective review of patients undergoing longitudinal pancreatico-jejunostomy (LPJ), with or without coring of the pancreatic head (Frey's procedure), between 1995 and 2007 in a single UK centre. Surgery was performed for chronic pain with clinical/radiological evidence of chronic pancreatitis amenable to decompression/head coring.

RESULTS: Fifty patients were identified. Thirty-six were male with a median age of 46 years and median follow-up of 30 months. Twenty-eight underwent LPJ and 22 underwent Frey's procedure. No significant difference in reduction of analgesia requirement (71% vs 64%, p=0.761) or hospital readmission for pain (21% vs 23%, p=1.000) was observed when comparing LPJ and Frey's procedure. Patients were significantly more likely to be pain-free following surgery if they required non-opiate rather than opiate analgesia preoperatively (75% vs 19%, p=0.0002). Fewer patients required subsequent hospital readmission for pain if taking non-opiate rather than opiate analgesia preoperatively (12.5% vs 31%, p=0.175).

CONCLUSIONS: In selected patients, LPJ and Frey's procedure have equivalent benefit in short-term pain reduction. Patients should be selected for surgery before the commencement of opiate analgesia.